tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59371569027799439922018-03-05T20:26:11.029-05:00Infantry DadRandom thoughts and musings.
Dedicated to tattling on the stupid, while protecting the ignorant.
Come hang out, unload, and relax.
Speak your mind.Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-66871596162575701532009-08-07T20:27:00.003-05:002009-08-07T20:50:24.669-05:00AUGUST 7TH!!!<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">August 7th?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Almost three months since I posted.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Summer, all four or five days, has all but come and gone.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I've played golf five times.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Had my boat on the water twice, but that's a whole different story.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And life is just flying bye.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Matt has been home since May 15th.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">We left Tacoma on Tuesday, May 13th at 800 hrs, and drove into our driveway in New Hampshire on Saturday, May 17th at approximately 16:30 hrs. Not a lot of sight seeing.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I have found it hard to get motivated to post.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">While Matt was in Iraq it was a great stress reliever, and made the time pass.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And it was great to hear from people who were in the same situation, or who just wanted to offer support.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">To say that life has become once again normal would be a lie.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">While there is a lot less stress, there are still the memories.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I have dreams of things blowing up, and being shot at, and isolated, and of people getting hurt and not being able to help them.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Much the same as the dreams I had while Matt was deployed.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I still have times when I suffer the same depression brought on by the worry of having a loved one in harms way.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I wish I could tell everyone with a loved one serving in Iraq or Afghanistan that when their son get's home it will all be great. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But I can't.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Don't get me wrong, it is a whole lot better.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">There's a lot less worrying.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But it doesn't go away.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Or at least in my case, it hasn't yet.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I hope to find another cause to take up here in the blogosphere.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And when I do, I intend to continue to do all I can to support our heroes serving in harms way.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Until they all come home.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br />Thanks NUGHT for rattling my cage.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Now it'll probably be another couple of months before I post again.</span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-16082147026707020282009-05-11T18:59:00.002-05:002009-05-11T19:10:55.110-05:00THE WORD OF THE DAY<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">CIVILIAN.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Sometime this afternoon Matt got his papers declaring him a civilian.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I'm headed to Seattle tomorrow to join him for the ride home.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">So the journey that started with profound pride and sadness more than three years ago will end in profound pride and happiness, and a long ride home.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Hope to take a lot of pictures to share.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">My heartfelt thanks to those who have taken the time to stop by here and offer words of encouragement.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I can never express how much it has meant.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">It's difficult to show emotion through this media.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">So all I can do is tell you that time and time again I have been moved to tears by the generous support of people I have never met.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I stand in never ending support and with the utmost respect for our men and women serving this great country.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">God bless.</span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-64918678849883778792009-04-28T19:22:00.002-05:002009-04-28T19:33:26.357-05:00FINALY SOME GOOD NEWS<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Word on the grapevine is that the 4th Brigade received notification today that their deployment orders were changed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">This is second hand news, and unverified by yours truly, so I am cautiously optimistic.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">What I'm not sure of is exactly what the change is, but Matt messaged his brother that it meant that the stop loss order will no longer affect him, and he will separate from active duty on 5/12/09.</span><br /><p><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">We will keep our fingers crossed.</span><br /></p>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-2455558889486119172009-04-24T19:58:00.002-05:002009-04-24T20:06:35.646-05:00THREE WARS ANYBODY?<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">I'm starting a pool.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Pick the date on the calendar closest to when we will have troops in Pakistan.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Any takers?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Just what we need.<br />A third war.</span><p><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Our soldier and his brother and brother's girlfriend are in the right field roof top seats at Fenway as I write.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">The dreaded Yanks are winning 2-1. <br />Hope they don't ruin Matt's homecoming and Sarah's birthday.</span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-88920772545492512532009-04-22T18:47:00.002-05:002009-04-22T19:02:18.780-05:00Transliteration???<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Who'd a thunk it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Yesterday I couldn't even spell it, and there I was doing it?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Thanks Jason.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">anyone sick of the Obama bashing yet?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">I am.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">I'm a moderate Republican, and I voted for him.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">And while I must admit that I'm not totally impressed with some of the things that have happened since he's been in office I have to say that his willingness to be open with us is a refreshing change.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">The very thought that, "we the people" can handle the truth of what is going on in our government is the very thing that has his opponents all in an up roar.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">By his very actions he is dispelling the notion held by a majority of our elected officials that they are all so much more intelligent then us.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">It was said that once he got to Washington the status quo would beat him into submission.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">They would teach him that, "we the people" weren't capable of comprehending the issues that they the rulers deal with on a day to day basis.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">I like knowing what's going on, and why they make the decisions they do.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">and I could give a flying f&amp;&amp;# if he bows to an Arab or two.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Maybe if his predecessor had a modicum of diplomacy we wouldn't be in the mess we're in.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">SPC Matt will be home for the weekend.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">We're looking forward to seeing him.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Even if for only a day.</span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-41412576878642899372009-04-21T19:05:00.001-05:002009-04-21T19:07:13.474-05:00<फॉण्ट कोलोर=ब्लू>गायस तिएंग थे कनोत</फॉण्ट कोलोर>इफ इ गावे यू माय होंसटी ओप्पिनिओं, इ कोउल्ड नेवर बे मिस अमेरिका। एंड ठाट वौल्ड रुं माय ड्रीम.Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-82915851613488672202009-03-18T18:44:00.003-05:002009-03-18T19:19:31.247-05:00SECRETARY GATES CALLs FOR END TO STOP-LOSS<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">In searching for more information on this subject which was first pointed out by my friends at</span><p><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://theonepercenters.blogspot.com/">One Percenters</a><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I found that for every article about the end of stop loss, there were two about gays being thrown out of the Army.<br />Rather strange that they simultaneous keep individuals that want out, and discharge those who want to stay?</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Following are links to a few article on the subject.</p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://grumpy-olddog.blogspot.com/2009/03/army-strong-unless-youre-gay.html">Army Strong</a></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_03/017349.php">WASHINGTON MONTHLY</a></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://machineryltd.net/?p=2021">Machineryltd.</a></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/40834">After downing Street.</a></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">On the cover this appears to be great news. but ever the skeptic when it comes to our politicians, I will remain cautiously optimistic.</p><p><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Just in case it doesn't come true, why not get involved.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Stand up and be counted by signing my petition.</span><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/end-stop-loss.html">Online petition - End Stop Loss</a><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And if you already have, </p><p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THANK YOU.</span></p>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-13883653864564895532009-03-18T06:03:00.003-05:002009-03-18T18:17:29.067-05:00MORE TLC FOR OUR HEROES<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;">An individual commenting on a comment of mine at</span><p> <a href="http://activedutypatriot.blogspot.com"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Active Duty Patriot,</span></a><p><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> called me a whiner for my effort to change the stop-loss policy, and my comments about NCOs miss-treating soldiers.</span>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Well here I go again.</span>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">When I opened my email and found the following article, I couldn't believe my eyes.</span>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Read the following article, and tell me if maybe there shouldn't be a lot more whining from the public</span>.</span><p><a href="http://www.military.com/news/article/heavy-loads-injuring-combat-troops.html?ESRC="army.nl"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Wounded and Injured soldiers.</span></a></b><p>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Couple this with current rumblings in the news that the VA is considering charging disabled vets for service, and I'm more than whining.<br /> I am outraged.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><p></span>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Lets get involved folks.<br /><br />These individuals served us, now it's time we served them.<br />Write to Congressmen/women, and ask them to insure that our soldiers are taken care of.</span>
<br />
<br />Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-44707477230214538922009-03-15T09:57:00.003-05:002009-03-15T11:36:01.032-05:00WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">We hear on the news every day that the the Iraqi Government feels that they no longer need our help, and that our units are going to be pulled out of communities, probably as early as next June. But they don't offer an explanation of just what our mission is to be going forward. There is a lot of vague talk about training and security missions.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">While I understand that it is crucial to security that we don't make public the scope of the plan, I am worried.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I'm really worried that we might just botch this withdrawal similar to the way the exit from Vietnam was handled.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> That wasn't a pretty sight. And ended up costing hundreds if not thousands of casualties amongst units that were left in the field without proper support.</span><p><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">My stand against stop-loss has nothing to do with the mission at hand.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I am in no way opposed to our mission in Iraq, or Afghanistan, and I am an ardent supporter of all of our servicemen who are doing their job in a valiant and honorable manner.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I just do not agree with the <span style="font-weight: bold;">stop-loss policy.</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I was cautiously skeptical of it when my son signed, and I like it even less now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I have no doubt that he will continue to serve in an honorable manner, but fear that his morale has taken a serious blow. I know that he is not alone. While a lot of soldiers just take it for what it is, and say nothing, I can't imagine that there is one who would say if asked, it's nothing at all. I expected it, and I'm better off for it.</span></p><p><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">When I read about soldiers who have complained openly, and gone through all the proper channels to avoid stop-loss, being kept anyway, and assigned jobs that are basically less than what they've been trained for, ie infantrymen being assigned motor pool positions, and support for in FOB MP detachments watching over soldiers that become deemed unfit to serve outside the wire etc. I wonder what it's all about.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-style: italic;"> Has it become a military stance to say "hey, we're the Army, we're in charge, we don't have to listen to anybody, and we'll do things the way we want regardless of whether it makes sense or not".</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">Just wondering.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">I honestly can't understand how anyone who researches this policy to even a minimal degree can be a supporter.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">Read my next post to learn more about my feelings with regard to manpower issues, and keeping soldiers in who are due to separate from a deployed unit.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">And please help give me the power to take this point up with the powers to be by signing the petition, </span></p><p><b><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/end-stop-loss.html">Online petition - End Stop Loss</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">.<p></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I appreciate the support, and welcome ideas, and comments.</span><br /><br /></b></p>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-23084578651066940212009-03-14T09:54:00.005-05:002009-03-14T10:38:59.140-05:00LEADERS IGNORE SECRETARY GATES<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Here's a little something from, <a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Global Security .org,</span></a> that I found quite interesting.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2009/02/mil-090223-afps02.htm">Gates To Take Comprehensive Approach To End "Stop-Loss.</a> <p><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">It was written on 02/29/2009.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I wonder why it wasn't better publicized?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Most everything that I've been able to find on this subject gives the appearance that Secretary Gates has requested that military leaders lower the "stop-loss" ratio, and that they, (Military Leaders), chose to ignore his requests. I won't call them orders because then they (the leaders) would be in defiance of direct orders, and we all know that isn't allowed in the military.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I have a better idea Mr. Secretary.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Let's just end stop-loss all together.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Let's direct our military leaders to start doing something about morale, and retention.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Get out from behind those desks and get out and find out what it would take to make the Army a better place to be.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Lets show Secretary Gates that he has the backing of a lot of military members, their families, and friends, by <span style="font-weight: bold;">signing the petition.</span></span></p><p><br /><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/end-stop-loss.html">Online petition - End Stop Loss</a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">.</span></p><p><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">We're nearing the 100 signature mark and counting.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Not quite the progress I had hoped for in a week, but never the less a good showing.</span></p><p></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">If you are a member of Facebook, you are invited to join our group.</p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=" gid="70276135350&amp;ref=" nf="">END STOP-LOSS NOW.</a></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: lucida grande;">God bless our soldiers and bring them home safe.</span></span><br /></p>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-88238856241328520502009-03-08T08:57:00.004-05:002009-03-08T09:47:55.496-05:00A SOLDIERS REQUEST GRANTED<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I recently received a request from a soldier to pass along his thoughts and feelings on stop loss.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I guess during the process of putting his thoughts in writing a few other issues came out also.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">It's good to vent, and while I edited the content for length, the real meat of the message is here in all it's glory.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I should explain that this individual spent 15 months in Iraq and was involved in several missions, including the siege of Baqubah. (sp?)<br />Here are his words.</span><p><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">Tell these people that are saying stop loss is needed, that they need to do some more research.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">The army is currently over-strength.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> If we weren't in two wars, they'd be trying to pay people to get out.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">One month after defense secretary Gates recommended to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to lower the percentage of soldiers being stop lossed, they instead raised the number by 43%.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> Soldiers who are stop lossed, serve on average, an additional 6.6 months.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> Ask them if they can imagine being 3,000 miles away from home, going out risking their lives for 180+ days when they are supposed to be home living their lives.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> Tell anybody who wants to know, if I was only doing 6.6 months, I would have way less of an issue with it. But I'm a lucky one and I get an additional 19 months.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> Tell the guy who is in the army and suggests that soldiers get paid more money that,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> A. It was never about money for me. I could be making at least 15 grand more a year as a police officer.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> B. Stop lossed soldiers are supposed to get extra pay, the bill has been passed, yet the same government who decided that we didn't deserve to be civilians, also decided we didn't deserve the money we were entitled to. And,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> C. If he wants more money, just wait, when we're done in Afghanistan, they'll stick a nice check in his pocket and kick his ass out the door with </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"><i>maybe</i></b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> a thank you, but we don't need your service anymore.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">Tell them that stop loss is only legal in a time of war. I guess since we're in the global war on terror, maybe I could run away to Canada.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> Technically if the war is global, I'd be upholding my end of the deal.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> This isn't a war, this is an attempt to destabilize the most populous Muslim region in the world, in order to keep one strong Muslim country or uprising that would finally fill in the power vacuum that was left when,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> A. World Wars I and II sapped Europe of all there power (thanks to the fact that we ensured through our great treaties that countries like Germany would not regain any form of power for decades to come),and</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> B. The Cold War ended and Russia collapsed leaving all the areas they were trying to support economically to stand against us, and resulting in a lawless society of people who never had a government. (except for during the Russian rule).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">Politicians knew that the Muslims would eventually rise against us if we didn't do something about it because the hardliners feel that America's "degradation" of women is causing the traditional family model to collapse globally.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> Don't listen when these d-bag politicians try to say "Muslims hate us cause of our religion".</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">They hate us because in our society if women wanna raise a family, do it up.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">You wanna be a professional and don't have time for a family, that's fine, we won't behead you, or throw acid on you, we'll encourage you.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">It is truly, in their eyes, a fight of good vs. evil, or old school vs. new school, traditions vs. progress.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;"> I'm not saying I'm not proud to have fought for my country, or that I don't agree with why we're fighting (both reasons, the real one I just stated and the whole religious ticket too).</span><p><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">Sorry, I could go on forever.<br /> I don't know how this went from stop loss to what the war is or isn't about but...Any of these folks who agree with stop loss, or are just brain washed retards period, tell them to look me up and I'll educate their dumb asses.<br />Sorry again, more sarcasm than anger!</span><p><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I'm attempting to force the government to pay attention to the stop loss issue, and make good on Secretary Gates' order to reduce the numbers of stop lossed soldiers.</span></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">If left to the leaders of the Army it will never happen, because it's easier to do nothing, than to fix the problem.</p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">PLEASE HELP THE CAUSE BY SIGNING THE PETITION.</p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/end-stop-loss.html">Online petition - End Stop Loss</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">You can also help by posting a link to the petition on you blog, and telling your friends an relatives about it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Or simply link back to</span>, www.infantrydad.blogspot.com. <br /> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">And I'll do the rest.</span><p>May god bless and keep our soldiers safe so that they may all return to their loved ones soon.<br />Thank you.<br /></span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-1715869517031335612009-03-07T16:38:00.006-05:002009-03-07T19:54:43.079-05:00GUEST POST<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">A guest post from a friend in a far off place.</span><p><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">More then any time in recent history America's destiny is not of our own choosing. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">We did not seek, nor did we provoke an assault on our freedoms and our way of life. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">We did not expect, nor did we invite a confrontation with evil. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Yet the true measure of a people's strength is how they rise to master that moment when it does arrive. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Three soldiers in my unit where wounded a couple of days ago in an EFP attack in Baghdad. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">All three have shrapnel wounds up and down their bodies, and the truck commander (TC) had to be flown north for surgery, after being wounded in several places on his left side, the driver, (a private), rushed head first into the chaos to aid his wounded squad leader. The passenger side door was mangled and wouldn't open, so pvt. C, pulled his squad leader out his door, stopped the bleeding in multiple places, and sent up the reports to higher with out hesitation, and with our instruction. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">He rushed head first into the chaos while bleeding from many wounds himself. </span></p><p><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">The streets of heaven were too crowded with angels that night. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">They are our sons and our daughters, and our husbands, and our wives, and our fathers, and our mothers. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">But every time we think we've measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we are reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">This is a time for American heroes. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">We will do what is hard. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">We will achieve what is great. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">This is a time for American heroes, and we will answer the call. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">God bless the fallen. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">God bless our fighting. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">God bless the United States Army.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">God bless you SGT. And keep you and your men safe for the remainder of your deployment.</span></p>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-63907794028751962992009-03-04T18:19:00.003-05:002009-03-04T18:23:07.772-05:00THIS IS ME<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I received an email the other day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I was just going to let it go.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But I can’t</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It accused me of being ungrateful for all that our government does for us.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">That didn’t bother me all that much.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For someone who happened to stumble on to my blog for the first time I may appear to be just a tad ungrateful.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The part that really got my dander up was when I was accused of being non supportive of our military.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">At the very moment that I read that, I knew that this was someone who didn’t take the time to read previous posts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Someone who has no idea what makes me tic.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Because I don’t agree with the Army’s recruitment tactics.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And I am opposed to the “Stop Loss” clause.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Doesn’t make me unpatriotic.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It doesn’t mean that I don’t support our military.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">So the truth about me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I love this country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am thankful that I was fortunate to be born in the greatest country on earth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">That doesn’t mean that I have to agree with everything that our government throws our way.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Our government has grown to the monster it is because of complacency.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It will not change over night.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Only when we the people start questioning what’s going on will things start to change.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">We need to question the things we don’t agree with.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">We need to search out others of a like mind, and band together in effort to change things that just aren’t right.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I was drafted into the military in 1971.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Before I had to report to, AFEEs, for my physical I elected to join the Army Reserve.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For the longest time I was embarrassed to admit that I was a reservist.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It wasn’t until lately the importance of the Reserve, and National Guard became apparent to me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Vietnam was winding down, so it always seemed that we were training for training’s sake.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Now I know that we were preparing to be the replacements should another war break out.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I’m thankful that it didn’t.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And so I served seven years in virtual obscurity.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Never experiencing the horror of war.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And I’m thankful for that.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Now what I regret.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I’m sorry that I ever encouraged my son to join the Army.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I’m sorry that he had to experience a buddy dieing in his arms.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I’m sorry that he had to experience being so scared for his life that he practically pissed his pants.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I’m sorry that he had to spend fifteen months living in squalor and filth fighting for a people who couldn’t care less about us. (The Iraqi government).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I’m sorry that he had to endure leaders that were mental midgets.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(Not all of them, but enough that it left a bad taste in his mouth, and a vow that if he ever had a position of authority he, “knew who he wouldn’t be like”).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I’m sorry that he has to live with the thought that he may have sent lead down range not knowing if it ended up killing innocent civilians that were being used as cover by spineless bastards that won’t fight like real men, choosing to hide behind women, children, and seniors.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Cowards that choose to hide and ambush under the veil of darkness instead of fighting like real soldiers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And yet, what I’m most sorry about is that the very Army that he and his comrades fought so honorably for, chooses to thank them by forcing them to serve beyond their separation date, and go back and do it all again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">All the arguments about needing trained, battle seasoned veterans in order to save the lives of green soldiers can’t convince me that “Stop Loss” is right.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It is double jeopardy in its purest form.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And so I’ve mounted a fight against the policy of “Stop Loss”.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I’ve written the letters.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I’ve posted a petition, and I intend to do all the promotion. (Anyone interested in taking an active role is more than welcome).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">All I’m asking is that you sign the petition, and bring it to your friends and relatives attention.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(Again, if you want to get involved and do some promoting of the project, get in touch).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I’ll do the lion’s share of research, and communications.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">All of it if need be.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But please help by at least signing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I need at least 1000 signatures to go forward.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">In the words of a petition signer who left a comment, “if we don’t fight to protect the rights of those who fight to protect ours, who will”?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am a proud father of an American hero serving his country in the Army.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A man that stepped up, signed up, and went to war for his country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">One who continues to serve willingly for another couple of months after which he will be held against his will.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Please sign the petition.</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/end-stop-loss.html">Online petition - End Stop Loss</a><br />Feel free to contact me with suggestions, and to help.<br />JohnInfantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-80603544967518515542009-03-02T19:56:00.002-05:002009-03-02T20:31:11.619-05:00JUST AN OPINION<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I received a great comment to my last post about ending stop loss from a man who knows what he is talking about.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">You can go back and read the comment.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I didn't ask permission to re-post his comment, so I won't.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I will post my answer to him, because that's my right.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I only hope that this doesn't ruin the short communication relationship we have started.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I respect his opinions, and him for choosing to make the Army his career.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">And I truly enjoy hearing from him.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I'm certain that we will have several great conversations during his present deployment.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Now my answer...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Sarge,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Call me John.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Mr Infantry Dad sounds kinda weird.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Ok. First, you are absolutely, positively welcome to your opinion, and to express it on my blog, in my comments, or anywhere else you would like. You fight for all of our right to do that. I respect you for it. And would never think anything less of you or anyone for disagreeing with me.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">BUT, here's were I think your point is flawed.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">If the Army is so grossly under manned with battle seasoned soldiers, then they need to make the hitch longer... When you sign up, you sign up for four years or five years. Don't have contracts with obscure clauses in them AND recruiters fluffing the clauses by telling individuals that there is little chance of it ever happening.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Next, give soldiers decent living quarters on base when home.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">And teach all NCOS to stop soothing their egos by berating cherries. What sense does yelling and screaming at someone because they don't execute a perfect salute, or stand at a book perfect parade rest.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Now my qualifications to say this.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I completed basic training and AIT at Ft. Jackson in 1972. I also completed the Third Army Leadership Academy, and graduated the Third Army Drill Sargent Academy.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Never in all of that training was there a session on how to call recruits shit birds and piss ants.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Or to get in their face and scream, just because you can.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Nor was there instruction on what violations warranted push ups, or how many.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">And yet, this has gone on since the the second world war.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I can understand the right of passage through basic training. But once a soldier becomes a member of a regular unit, that crap should stop. It serves no purpose. I understand that there are great NCOs, and it would seem that you are one. The great NCOs need to straighten out the ego maniacs, and teach them to lead by example. And create a better environment for all.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Now regarding extended tours of duty. (note, not Stop Loss).</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">During WWII there were soldiers that served for five years, some never getting leave at all. They lived in deplorable conditions. Sleeping outside in freezing weather, without shelter, for days and weeks on end. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">During war time it should be understood that if you are in a battle unit, you are in until you are no longer needed.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Just make that known up front.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Don't let soldiers think that they are getting out, then pull the switch.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">That's why I want to see stop loss ended.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I'm not angry about it just because my son got stop lossed, and no action I take now can stop it.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I understand that.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">Hopefully I can make a difference for soldiers of the future.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I will continue to work to promote the petition I started to get the military to come up with a better way of staffing than forcing soldiers that complete their hitch to stay past their ETS.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">I do not oppose soldiers being re-called in the event that a war escalates and they are needed to ensure that all soldiers aren't put in a worse situation by being under manned.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">The fact that a soldier is on in-active reserve for a certain number of years after their initial commitment is well know by all.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">It is made clear, along with the criteria that could constitute a recall.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">And now a little promotion of the cause.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia;">The petition can be found here</span><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">,</span> <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/end-stop-loss.html">Online petition - End Stop Loss</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">Please consider helping with this cause...</span><p><br /><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">God bless our soldiers serving in harms way, and keep them safe.</span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-76457893690945763122009-03-01T15:56:00.010-05:002009-03-02T20:22:30.449-05:00PETITION TO STOP STOP LOSS<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;">If you agree, as I do, that the U.S. Army's policy of "Stop Loss" is an unfair way to treat personnel who have fulfilled their contractual obligation to the Army in an honorable manner, please take a moment to review my petition calling for the end of "Stop Loss", by clicking on this link, </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/end-stop-loss.html">Online petition - End Stop Loss</a></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">,</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">and reviewing a petition I plan to present to the President and Secretary of Defense.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">If the link above doesn't work, please cut and paste this link to your browser. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /><br />www.gopetition.com/online/25742.html.</span><br /><p> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">If after reading the short petition you agree and would like to support my effort, please sign it.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">You may remain anonymous, however should you elect to provide your name, and email, it will be kept confidential, and you will receive a personal note of thanks, and support from yours truly.</span></p><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Please forward this email to all of your friends, and associates who either have loved ones serving, or know someone who is.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">Feel free to cut and paste, or create a hop link to the petition.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">If you don't know how to create a hop link, ask and I will show you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Remember, this is in no way intended to show a lack of respect for our military, or soldiers who have decided to re-enlist, or who make the Army their career.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I admire them for their conviction.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">This is a grass roots effort to indicate our displeasure that our soldiers are being, or may be forced to stay in the Army against their will after fulfilling their obligation.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">As always I welcome all comments.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">God bless our soldiers and keep them safe.</span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-37713497840230523222009-03-01T07:49:00.006-05:002009-03-01T09:59:09.244-05:00CONTRACTS & STOP LOSS<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >It's another Sunday morning here in our little corner of the world.<br />It's a little cloudy, but we haven't received the three or four inches of snow as predicted. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >Maybe we dodged the bullet this time.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >As often happens on Sunday mornings I find myself thinking about events. Sometimes good, sometimes bad.<br />This morning it's mostly bad!!!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >I am quite disheartened by the current turn of events.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >As posted earlier, we found out that Matt's brigade had been stopped lossed, and so with just over three months to ETS and lots of planning going on everything came to a screeching halt.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >Now we find that while the entire brigade is stop lossed, <span style="font-weight: bold;">not everyone</span> in the brigade will be kept.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >It seems they are choosing the soldiers they want based on their merit, and how they performed on the last deployment, and letting those who didn't do as well, or pissed their leaders off, out!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">What a reward!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >And that's just not fair.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >And it just may not be legal. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >But would the Army or our government do anything that wasn't fair, or legal?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >As you can well imagine Matt is quite angry over all of this.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >As am I.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >Oh, and while I'm at it, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">the Army hasn't paid one red cent of the money they agreed to pay on his college loans when he signed the contract!!</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >I'm sure they can claim that Matt hasn't completed his part of the paperwork properly. The truth is that they make the process so obscure and difficult to figure out that it takes a lawyer to complete. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >Before they deployed, we thought everything had been taken care of satisfactorily.<br />Only when we started receiving phone calls at all hours of the day and night from the loan companies looking for their money did we realize that something was wrong.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >And try to get straight answers out of the Army when a problem like this develops.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >Calls were made to FRG, and rear detachment, and while FRG was helpful there was nothing they could do.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >Rear detachment was useless. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >It was like we were nothing more than a pain in the ass to them.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:georgia;" >So I guess the message being sent is that once you sign the contract, the Army has you, and they have no obligation to honor the contract that they wrote.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I wonder why more people don't run down to their local recruiter and sign up.</span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-79516426915732386242009-02-24T17:46:00.004-05:002009-02-24T18:15:01.541-05:0075 DAYS AND HOLDING<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I just gathered from a comment on Matt's Facebook page that the day we had been worrying about just came.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">He got a stop loss notice..</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I haven't heard from him yet. but I can imagine how disappointed he must be.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The last email we got from him he said he would be home the end of April to take a Police exam. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">He wants to go into police work when he gets out.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Now, like so many others before him, life gets put on hold for who knows how long?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A fine way to reward individuals that fulfill there contractual obligation.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Who go off to war and put their life on the line and don't complain about it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Those who put up with all the shit that the Army can give on a day to day basis, and believe me, they can put down some shit, and show up for more every day because it's their job.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Well, it seems that they just don't have enough soldiers to do the work that needs to be done.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">So, they force the ones they have to do more, and then don't let them out when their time comes.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I wonder if it ever occurred to any of the people running the show that if they made it more rewarding to be a part of it, maybe, just maybe, more people would join and stay.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Of course they will point out that enlistment is up.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It is. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But it isn't as a result of how great the Army.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It's because of the economy.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I guess I'm a little disappointed.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I can't imagine how down Matt is at this point.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And so a new chapter starts.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Another year of life on hold.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I would imagine a deployment to Afghanistan is forth coming, and with it another year of worrying, and stress.</span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-23289621181716351652009-02-19T09:36:00.004-05:002009-02-19T12:08:02.535-05:0079 DAYS BUT WHO'S COUNTING<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">So I'm home sick with the flu, (probably caught it from Airborne Dad), and I'm surfing the Ft. Lewis News trying to find out something about the death of a teenage girl in a barracks there, when I come across this highly intelligent comment.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"My god you have to be joking here...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">The military has been assaulting and raping</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">there own people for years now... Four in</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">five female soldiers have been assaulted</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">and or raped by there fellow</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">servicemen world-wide.... The vast majority</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">of service - men (used loosely) are either</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">rapist them-self's, voyeurs or complacent</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">participants....</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">I never look at a Military person as a defender</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">of the American people.... I rather see them</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">as the are... Losers who feed on the American</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Tax dollar..... Personally I'll call them what they</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">really are,,, mind-less rednecks pretending to</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">even care what America stands for ..or did at</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">onetime.... they join the ranks for cash, money</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">for college (right) or to avoid jail time....</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">The American people have aloud this</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">because it's only cheesy brain-dead already</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">rednecks that do the dyeing...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">In short what happened here is they Killed</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">a young beautiful soul.... they almost killed another...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">and tomorrow they will do it again.....</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">and please don't ever pretend you</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">give a rats ass for America.. or this would have never</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">happened.... GOD REST THIS POOR GIRLS SOUL</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">MY HEAT IS BROKEN FOR THIS FAMILY......"</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I agree with the last sentence in bold.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The rest of it is some kind of ignorant blathering. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I can't imagine that any American would have this opinion of our soldiers.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The Army is a huge community, and like any of our cities there are individuals who are less than reputable citizens. But to paint all of our military personnel with a broad brush is ignorant at best.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Here's the comment I left in answer.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"What an idiot. "aloud"? Most third graders would catch that grammatical error. Better to keep your thoughts to yourself and be thought a fool then write a comment like this and remove all doubt.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Stop by www.militarydad.blogspot, and leave your thoughts so you can really fined out how smart you are."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">While I doubt that this individual will stop bye, I certainly hope he does.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Then my 1%er friends can weigh in.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Or maybe I'm the one who's wrong?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Here's a link to this comment.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">http://www.topix.com/forum/post/reply.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">In the event that you would like to stop bye and say hi.</span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-51718319485376755682009-02-14T10:43:00.003-05:002009-02-14T11:09:13.427-05:0085 DAYS BUT WHO'S COUNTING<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It's been a while, so let's see if I can remember how to do this?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Matt went to his first ETS briefing last week, and is 85 days away from being a civilian.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A inactive reserve civilian that is.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Most people who have no connection to the Army don't realize that even after you fulfill your active duty commitment, you have several years of in active reserve during which you can be re-activated in a moments notice. I think the number is twelve years?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">So we count down the days, and hold our breath and cross our fingers, and hope that the unit doesn't get assigned deployment before ETS.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">It has been a brutal week in Iraq.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">While I try to relax, and put the fifteen months of stress and fear out of mind, every time a soldier loses his life it all comes back.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">I can't help but hope that the loved ones know how much we suffer for them.<br />We all share in this terrible and tragic thing called war. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">We share and rejoice in the good news, and suffer for the bad.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">May god bless each and every family as well as all of the brave young men and women serving our country so selflessly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I'm done bitching about the weather..</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">It has been beautiful for the last few days here in New England.<br />Still cold, but sunny.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The kind of weather that reminds us of why we love living here.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Today I think I'll do a little ice fishing.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I'll take some pictures to share.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Happy Valentines Day</span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-16835251821420738142009-01-24T20:43:00.003-05:002009-01-24T20:59:24.724-05:00SNOW<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Airborne dad was complaining about snow.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Well dad, I've got some snow for ya.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">We're giving it away. Bring a truck and shovel, and take all you want.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">I was going to don my Tevas and get in the picture, but it was 10 degrees.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Pic was taken in front of my office last year, but it is representative of this year. The snow bank is just as high.</span><p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zPDDOeeZ0Jg/SXvEMv-RagI/AAAAAAAAAyo/pyiYfzJ8Tcg/s1600-h/077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zPDDOeeZ0Jg/SXvEMv-RagI/AAAAAAAAAyo/pyiYfzJ8Tcg/s320/077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295041510219278850" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Happy to report that Spc. Rider is on assignment in Bangkok Thailand. Should be back in WA State by the end of the month, then about 90 days till separation.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Rumor has it there's going to be a party.</span><br /><br /></p>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-70378185928382942632008-12-21T09:00:00.004-05:002008-12-21T09:43:22.472-05:00BLOGGER<div><span style="color:#333399;">Blogger gets me again.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">It's Sunday morning here in my little corner of the blogosphere and all through the house, not a creature is stirring, not even... Well maybe a mouse. </span></div><div><span style="color:#333399;">I haven't seen a lot of sign that they're around, but we usually have one or two this time of year.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">I'm getting off subject, and that's starting to put me in a better frame of mind, and I don't want that happening until I pitch my bitch.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">So, it's Sunday morning, everyone in the house is still sleeping and I grab a cup of coffee and sit down by the bay window to watch the beginning of <strong><em>yet another</em></strong> snow storm. </span></div><div><span style="color:#333399;">We may get 10 to 18 inches on top of the foot we got Friday night and yesterday. </span></div><div><span style="color:#333399;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#333399;">And to finally post a few pictures of the ice storm that put 300,000 people out of power. When much to my delight <strong>GD</strong> Blogger won't let me upload the pictures. </span></div><div><span style="color:#333399;">So all of you who have been hounding me for pictures will just have to wait.</span></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#333399;">All one of you.</span></em></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;"><em>Who asked nicely, once, a few days ago.</em> </span></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#333399;">That is.</span></em></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">Now I've got to go and warm the Jeep up and get ready to do some more plowing.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">Those living in warmer climbs, like South Texas, and Florida, (<em>Gods waiting room we up North call it</em>), can kiss my grits. :0).</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">Maybe I'll post some plowing pictures later. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">We picked Matt up at the airport last evening, and had a nice dinner on the way home.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">It,s promising to be a lot merrier around here this Christmas.</span></div><div><span style="color:#333399;">I'll never forget the warm and fuzzy feeling I get seeing him walk through the gate when he arrives home.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">Or the empty sadness that comes over me watching him walk back through on his way off to where ever the Army wants him to be.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">It's sounding like they aren't going to let him just do his last five months and be done with it.</span></div><div><span style="color:#333399;">There's a Joe rumor that they're going to Afghanistan.</span></div><div><span style="color:#333399;">Hopefully just a rumor, because he was told to get his passport together while home and prepare to go to Thailand to train some of their forces.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">We'll make a holiday wish that the latter is true.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">Now out to fight the elements....</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">Is that a smug grin I see Dad??? And Mom?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">I know Mic knows what I'm talking about.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;"></span></div><span style="color:#333399;">I guess my bitching did a little good, cause Blogger relented and let me upload a couple of picks before going back to sleep. </span><p><br /><span style="color:#333399;">Here's a little of what our world looked like before the Snow covered everything up. </span><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zPDDOeeZ0Jg/SU5RhliWMHI/AAAAAAAAAwo/LO27-Vd0ovQ/s1600-h/PC120514.JPG"><span style="color:#333399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282249050405875826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zPDDOeeZ0Jg/SU5RhliWMHI/AAAAAAAAAwo/LO27-Vd0ovQ/s320/PC120514.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333399;"> </span><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zPDDOeeZ0Jg/SU5TcfKMggI/AAAAAAAAAw4/wTh7T9fRcUQ/s1600-h/PC120516.JPG"><span style="color:#333399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282251161817874946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zPDDOeeZ0Jg/SU5TcfKMggI/AAAAAAAAAw4/wTh7T9fRcUQ/s320/PC120516.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333399;"> </span><p><span style="color:#333399;">We're back to no go on the uploads, so I'll try to get some more up later.<br />One last thing, we have some new heroes. The electric line crews that are here working around the clock to get the power back on.<br />They come from as far away as Florida, and Canada, and work up to eighteen hours a day.<br />Some won't get home for Christmas, and without them we would be in a lot worse situation.</span><br /></p>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-72221202620410842662008-12-03T19:11:00.004-05:002008-12-03T20:01:56.064-05:00MISCONCEPTION<span style="color:#000099;"><em>I guess I've been laboring under a misconception?<br />I was a fairly regular follower of the blog that I am going to point you to in a minute, but I have a few points to bring to light first.<br />I like to comment one others blogs when there is something posted that moves me to.<br />I always try to keep my comments in the spirit of which the blog appears.<br />For example on serious blogs</em></span><em><span style="color:#000099;"> I usualy leave serious well thought out comments.<br />On blogs that seem to be light hearted I try to comment in kind.<br />If I find something offensive, (hard to offend me. So rarely), I ignore and go away.<br />The freedom of speech thing dontcha know?<br />Well just recently it was pointed out in a not so subtle way that my comments were not welcome on one persons blog.<br />Unfortunate, because this is a blog that I always found fun, easy reading. </span><br /></em><em><span style="color:#000099;">We had commented on each others posts, and always seemed to have an amicable relationship.<br />Well, yesterday there was a problem.<br />I jokingly pointed out that I was no longer included in the blog roll on this particular blog.<br />Not a big problem.<br />I don't do this to set records for popularity, and while I consider it an honor if others think enough of my blog to add me, I could realy care less about the number.<br />Maybe this is a status symbol to some.<br />Not me.<br />So, yesterday I receive an angry email from this individual.<br />I'm still debating weather or not to post it?<br />I was a little confused about what I had done to spur this great animosity. </span><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">I responded to the email explaining that I hadn't intended to create a problem, and apologizing for what was to me a simple misunderstanding.</span><br /></em><span style="color:#000099;"><em>I had a four hour drive today which gave me a lot of time to think about it.<br />So I get home and check my email expecting at least a go to hell email, apology not accepted, but nothing.<br />Then I went to the blog in question and, well read for yourself and decide.<br /></em></span></span><a href="http://mohawkcampfire.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">THE CHIEF.</span></a><span style="color:#000099;"> </span><br /><p><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Unfortunately any comments that I left have been removed, so all there is is my word that I don't believe that I ever did anything to try and provoke this type of treatment. </em></span><p><span style="color:#000099;"><em>So here's the email. </em></span><p><span style="color:#000099;">"<span style="color:#990000;">Your "removal" was something that happened and I don't have any idea how. When I tried to put you back up there, my whole "link list" has now disappeared.<br /><br />Just leave me the (censored) alone and quit bothering me with shit that is beyond my control. I don't control (censored) Blogger!<br /><br />And now I've got a lot of work to do, just to satisfy you and your ego. I'm sorry I ever connected with you in the first place and if I never hear from you again, I don't really give a damn.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="color:#990000;">But, I do wish your son all the best and I pray he stays safe. </span></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="color:#990000;"><br /></span>"<em>You're removal", refers to my comment about noticing that I was no longer in his blog roll.<br />If the comment had been left in place,</span> <span style="color:#000099;">you could better judge the spirit with which it was made. </span></em></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"><em>It has never been my intention to offend anyone, or for that matter try to change opinions about anything, let alone my political beliefs. </em></span><p><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Anyway,while I enjoy the interaction with the few of you who stop by. And I found this a great stress relief while Matt was deployed, this episode has quelled my enthusiasm for blogging. </em></span><p><span style="color:#000099;"><em>I'm seriously considering shutting it down, and finding something else to occupy my mind.<br /></em></span></p>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-91578779627528817822008-11-30T20:22:00.004-05:002008-11-30T20:50:18.086-05:00A TRUELY AMAZING SOLDIER<span style="color:#000099;"><strong><em>You have to read this</em></strong>,</span> <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/26/60minutes/main4635035.shtml"><span style="color:#ff0000;">www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/26/60minutes/main4635035.shtml</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;">.<br /></span><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Words can't describe what this soldier did.<br />And when asked about it, the answer was, <strong>"I was only doing my job".</strong><br />That is something that I find amazing. These young soldiers are encountering hell in Iraq and Afghanistan.<br />They continually operate under the most stressful of conditions.<br />Being shot at, stuff blowing up all around them. Wounded comrades and friends screaming in pain and dieing. They perform heroic acts. They put their own well being on the back burner and selflessly head into the fray to help.<br />And when presented with awards, they are embarrassed.<br />Usually saying "I was only doing my job". </em><br /><em>Thank you now Spc Monica Brown.</em><br /><em>You are a role model.</em><br /><em>If I had a daughter I would want her to be just like you.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Thanksgiving has come and gone.</em><br /><em>And so has our soldier.</em><br /><em>It is always great to have them come home, and sad to have to say goodbye.</em><br /><em>That's the life of a soldiers parent.</em><br /><em>We just accept it.</em><br /><em>Knowing that he will be home again in three weeks makes it a little easier.</em><br /><em>Knowing that we should have one more goodbye, then the next welcome home will hopefully be for good will make the next one easier.</em><br /><em>But never the less sad.</em><br /><em>Each one gets a little less emotional.</em><br /><em>I hope I live long enough to see world peace.</em><br /><em>But doubt that it will happen.</em><br /><em>Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was never again the need to present an award for valour?</em><br /></span><em><span style="color:#000099;">If there was never a reason for another soldier to say,<br /><strong>"I was just doing my job".</strong><br /></span></em>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-15153017549216773522008-11-20T17:08:00.004-05:002008-11-20T17:20:51.558-05:00LIMBAUGH IS A COMMY.<span style="color:#000099;"><em>Is anybody else tired of hearing Rush Limbaugh run his mouth?<br />Barack Obama is the choice of the people Rush.<br />So stop bashing him on a daily basis.<br />Maybe it's just that Rush isn't smart enough to come up with something new to bitch about.<br />Every day he goes off about Obama being in bed with the terrorists. And Obama is going to ruin our country with his socialistic ways. And we need to watch Obama closely....<br />I've got news for mister Limbaugh. While he was waisted on Oxycontin for most of the past eight years, his Republican heroes ruined Americas stature in the world, and ruined the Republican party for generations to come.<br />In my opinion Rush Limbaugh is a Communist.<br />So shut your fat face Limbaugh.</em></span>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937156902779943992.post-28401973458963861572008-11-11T08:45:00.004-05:002008-11-11T19:19:52.693-05:00HAPPY VETERANS DAY???<span style="color:#000099;"><em>It seems strange to me to say Happy Veterans Day?</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Sort of like Happy 9-11 day.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Or Happy Memorial Day.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>I suppose to those who served our country and are alive to talk about it, it could be a happy day?</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Most who are alive and lived through the hell of combat don't want to talk about it!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Usually groups of veterans will talk about their specific branch of the service with other vets.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Rarely have I heard those who were in combat units talk about battles.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>They shouldn't have to.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Who that never experienced it would understand anyway?</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>So this is a sombre day for me.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>A day to reflect on all the hero's who served and are no longer with us to celebrate this day.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>And a day to say thank you to those who did their part however small or large.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>I will honor all today at two ceremonies as a member of the American Legion Post #4 Keene NH color guard rifle squad.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Then all area veterans will be treated to a luncheon at the post home.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>I'm sure I'll tip a toast or two to my comrades, shake a hand or two, say thanks, then it's on with life, knowing that we are better off for the dedication and actions of the brave men and women who have answered the call to duty.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Those who for whatever reason have said "Ill go" and gave two or more years of their lives to insure that we are free to enjoy our way of life.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>If not for them there would be no decision of weather to say thank you, or happy Veterans day, or both.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>So thank you to all for your service and sacrifice, and Happy Veterans Day.</em></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">PS The image upload feature was'nt working this morning. (darn it).</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Be sure to check out Google's tribute to vets.</span></em>Infantry Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287286919256333982noreply@blogger.com10